Addiction in Physicians More Common Than You Think

The television series "House" features a renowned physician suffering from a prescription drug dependency. What most people don't realize is that many doctors fall victim to drugs because of the field they are in, and the access they have to certain drugs and prescription medications. Drug dependency is common in physicians and doctors for several reasons.

Accessibility to prescription drugs and medications is a definitely addiction enabler. Doctors and physicians have all of these drugs at their fingertips, and it is fairly simple for them to simply write phony prescriptions. They can also attain certain numbers of sample drugs that can potentially be abused.

The availability of these drugs is limitless, so a doctor would have little problems attaining the appropriate prescriptions for addictive medications such as Vicodin or Oxycontin, some of the most habit forming drugs available by prescription.

Stress in the workplace is another reason why doctors and physicians turn to drugs. The medical field is a very intensive position, and there is a plethora of work involved. The stress of diagnosing patients day after day can take its toll on a doctor. 

Doctors and physicians work in exceptionally challenging fields, and the stress resulting from that can lead to a need to numb the stress or pain with drugs that are easily accessible. Prescription drug dependency in physicians is not uncommon and can be treated with the appropriate action, such as a rehab facility or outpatient treatment center. Most centers today cater to professionals dealing with addiction.